Mead Library and the City of Sheboygan Public Works are soliciting original poetry from local residents as part of the city’s new Sidewalk Poetry Program.

The program will transform city sidewalks into an open poetry book, with original poetry stamped onto public sidewalk squares slated for repair throughout the city. The goal is to inspire moments of surprise, reflection, empathy and gratitude as residents and visitors make their way along the streets of Sheboygan.

Are you interested in learning about short forms of poetry, perfect for sidewalk poetry? Want to pare your language down to the brevity of a haiku, add visual interest by writing a shape poem, or learn about the American cinquain? Come join us for this workshop, open to all ages and skill levels!

Anneliese Finke received a BA in creative writing from Bard College at Simon’s Rock and an MFA in poetry from the University of Maryland. She's a former Peace Corps volunteer in Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan; now back in the United States, she works as a librarian and as the archivist for the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.